CHF/PLN exchange rates

If you said to someone „safe as a Swiss bank” in the 18th century, they surely would not know what you mean. The development of banking in Switzerland started only in the 19th century – this is also when the history of the Swiss franc begins.

Until the mid-nineteenth century, each canton, municipality, and even monastery in Switzerland could mint its own coin. The Swiss Federal Constitution was created only in 1848, according to which only the Federal Government had the right to mint coins, i.e. francs.

In 1865, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Italy formed the Latin Monetary Union – a treaty under which the currencies of each of the countries had a stable 1:1 exchange rate and could be freely used across the Union. This arrangement was in force until 1926, and only after the dissolution of the Union, Swiss franc became the only legal tender in Switzerland.

For many years, Swiss franc was exchangeable for gold – this dependency was finally abolished by the Swiss National Bank only in 2000, after a referendum.

Swiss franc is the official currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. For years, franc was one of the most stable currencies. The franc became significantly stronger in 2008, when the Euro zone was in crisis.

Franc coins (1/2 franc, 1 and 2 francs) bear a female figure – Helvetia, who is considered to be the symbol of Switzerland. Coins of lower denominations (centimes) show Libertas – the Roman goddess of freedom.

Francs in the form of banknotes have microprints and metal threads on their reverse side to secure them against forgery. On the averse, there are well-known cultural and scientific figures, such as the architect Le Corbusier or art historian Jakub Burckhardt.

Currently, in the years 2016-2019, the Swiss Bank is introducing new francs, designed by Manuela Pfrunder. The banknotes are to include additional protections to better secure them against counterfeiters.